Building material display device



Sept. 23, 1969 J. A. CATLETT 3,468,593

BUILDING MATERIAL DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Feb. 19, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JAMES A. CATLETT Sept. 23, 1969 J. A. CATLETT BUILDING MATERIAL DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Swat Filed Feb. 19, 1968 INVENTOR JAMES A. CATLETT United States Patent 3,468,593 BUILDING MATERIAL DISPLAY DEVICE James Arthur Catlett, 224 Hidell St., Knoxville, Tenn. 37914 Filed Feb. 19, 1968, Ser. No. 706,273 Int. Cl. A47b 81/00 US. Cl. 312-234 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for removably storing a multiplicity of wall covering samples and selectively withdrawing a selected sample onto a movable carriage adapted to move said selected sample into position over selected floor samples disposed beneath said carriage to display the wall covering and floor samples in a manner representative of their actual use. Provision is also made for simultaneous display of ceiling and moulding samples in positions representative of actual use.

Field of invention This invention relates to apparatus or devices for dis playing merchandise, particularly interior building materials.

Description of prior art It is well recognized in the art of displaying building materials for prospective purchasers that all too frequently the purchaser complains to the seller or returns the purchase because of a dissatisfaction with the product which arose when the product was viewed by the purchaser following shipment of the same to him. This undesirable facet of the trade is in large part a consequence of several factors. Generally, prior art display devices and concepts for building materials do not permit the purchaser full and perspective view of the product. The prior art displays exhibit to the purchaser only a small sample of the product, insufiicient in size to provide a true representation of the full-size product, this latter problem involving such elements as untrue color due to absence or presence of reflections from surrounding objects, insufficient size to permit the purchaser to visualize the true pattern, etc. Moreover, the prior art does not provide for selective comparison of several complementary items such as flooring, wall covering, ceiling, and associated mouldings.

Certain large and/or bulky items of building materials, wall paneling for example, do not lend themselves to fullsize display employing prior art devices. One prior art device mounts wall paneling samples pivotally such that the individual panels can be moved in a manner much like one would turn a page in a book. No provision is made in this prior art device for selective comparison of complementary building materials along with the wall panels.

Summary of invention The present invention comprehends an apparatus for simultaneous display of several complementary building materials in an attitude truly representative of the mode of actual use of the materials. A multiplicity of full-size wall covering samples are stored in individual runways in side-by-side relation, preferably oriented in vertical planes, within a cabinet. Each sample is individually suspended by rollers which travel on appropriate rails mounted in the cabinet. A cantilevered runway, at least coextensive in length with the cabinet, extends from said cabinet to mount a motor-driven carriage which is provided with a set of rails identical in construction to the rail sets in the cabinet. The carriage is thus adapted to be driven along the cantilevered runway to selectively align its rail set ice with a stored wall covering sample whereupon the covering sample can be pulled from the cabinet and transferred to the carriage. A multiplicity of sample fioorings are disposed beneath the cantilevered runway. The suspended wall covering sample can thus be positioned over a selected flooring sample for comparison therewith.

The carriage is also provided with appropriate means for removably receiving a selected sample of ceiling and complementary moulding, if desired. A complete array of building materials as they would appear in actual use is achieved. The purchaser choses his own combinations and leisurely makes his selections, the present invention affording him the means by which he can view the several materials, that is, wall covering, ceiling tile, flooring and moulding, in their relative positions as if in actual use. As desired, many other complementary items such as drapes, carpeting, wall pictures, even furniture, and the like can be displayed by or for a customer in order that such items can be matched with a wall paneling of the customers choice.

For purposes of clarity, only a single unit (4' x 8) of wall paneling will be referred to in the following description of this invention. An important feature of the invention, however, is that a multiplicity, for example, three units of wall paneling can be mounted on each side of a core member to provide a wall paneling display representative of an entire wall (12 x 8). Such an arrangement portrays to the purchaser the inherent color variance known to exist between units of paneling. This color variance between units of paneling is relatively slight, but if the purchaser is not made fully aware of such prior to his purchase, when his paneling is installed and the variance becomes evident, he can be displeased to the point of thinking he has been cheated in the sale.

The present invention also permits one to display samples representative of entire walls, each painted a different color. In this embodiment one need only substitute painted plywood, wall board, or like material for the wall paneling described herein. The ability to display large-size painted surfaces is very important as respects the interaction of lighting with the painted surface. In a similar manner, if desired, papered-wall samples can be displayed.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic representation, in perspective of one embodiment of this invention depicting several Wall covering samples in storage and a single sample displayed in combination with a floor sample,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment, part in section, for controlling the position of a stored sample within a cabinet,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sample of ceiling depicting the placement of magnets on the mounting surface of the sample,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a sample of moulding depicting the placement of magnets on the mounting surface of the sample,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 5, and,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a part of a carriage mounted in its cantilevered runway and depicting the driving means for the carriage.

Description of invention Referring now to FIG. 1, a multiplicity of wall paneling display units 5 are stored in a cabinet 6. 'Preferably each display unit comprises a central planar core 7 having a full-sized sample of wall paneling (usually 4 feet wide by 8 feet long) secured on either side thereof. The units are stored individually in side-by-side relation, each unit being suspended preferably on rollers 8 riding in a set of rails 9 and 9' secured to the roof 10 of the cabinet. Alternatively, slide means can be substituted for the rollers. As depicted in FIG. 1, cabinet 5 may be divided into compartments 42 (typical) by vertical walls 43 and 43 (typical) extending from the top 44 of cabinet 5 to its floor 45.

Along the front upper edge 11 of the cabinet, there is provided a cantilevered runway 12, including a pair of tracks 13 and 13, which is at least coextensive in length with the cabinet and adapted to rollably receive a carriage 14.

Carriage 14 includes aframe 15 of generally rectangular construction having several rollers 16 (driven) and 17 (non-driven) (typical) projecting laterally therefrom to be rollably received in tracks 13 and 13'. The carriage is thus movably disposed in a horizontal plane. A set of rails 18 and 18' is disposed centrally on the underside of the carriage. This set of rails 18 and 18' is laterally coexistensive with the carriage and identical to the rail sets located in the cabinet and on which the wall paneling sample units are stored.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 6, motor means 19 mounted on the carriage is connected, preferably by belt means 20, in driving relation with at least one roller 16 on the side 21 of the carriage. Conventional pendant switch means 22 and appropriate conventional circuit including leads 4-6 and 47 (FIG. 7), are utilized to control motor 19, hence the position of the carriage along its supporting runway 12.

Selective movement of the carriage brings rails 18 and 18 on the carriage into register with a chosen set of rails in the cabinet whereupon a wall paneling sample can be pulled out of storage and transferred to the carriage. When the transfer is complete, the sample will depend from the carriage to a point just above a sample of flooring 23 and establish for the viewer the relative relationship which the flooring and wall paneling would assume if in actual use. Several different flooring samples 24, 25, and 26 are disposed beneath the cantilevered runway so that the suspended wall paneling sample can be moved via movement of carriage 14, over any one of several choices of flooring and the co-relationship of each combination analyzed by the prospective purchaser.

The carriage frame 15 extends approximately equal distances in a longitudinal direction on both sides of the laterally extending set of rails 18 anud 18 carried on its underside. The extent of these longitudinal distances is chosen to be sufficient to allow the mounting thereon of a sample of ceiling 33 (FIG. 3) (acoustical tile, for example), and sample of ceiling moulding 34 (FIG. 5).

The samples of ceiling and moulding can be removably secured in position by any of several methods. One satisfactory method is depicted in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. One or more metallic strips 27 (FIG. 1) are fixedly mounted to the underside of the carriage. Miniature magnets 28, 29, 30 and 31 (FIG. 3 and 4) embedded in the ceiling sample 33 attract themselves to the metallic strips 27 and secure the sample in place. Similar means can be employed to secure the moulding sample in its relative position at the juncture of the ceiling sample and the wall paneling sample. FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a moulding sample 34 bearing magnets 35 and 36 positioned to engage metal tabs 37 and 38 (FIG. 1) depending from the carriage 14.

Inasmuch as a prospective purchaser may desire to observe only a portion of each wall paneling sample prior to transferring a selected one out of the cabinet, the inventor provides for controlled partial withdrawal of each wall paneling sample unit. Referring to FIG. 2, each unit is rollably supported in rails 9 and 9' (typical) by eight rollers 8 (typical), four on each side of the unit. The rollers on each side are equally spaced apart. Four equally spaced apart indentations 39 and 40 (typical) are formed in each rail on the load-bearing surface 41 thereof. The depth of each indentation is such that when at least 4 two rollers (one on each side of the unit) reside in indentations, the unit will not move of its own accord, yet even if all the rollers reside in indentations, the unit can be readily moved by a small force.

The equal spacing of the rollers and indentations permits the unit to be securely stored fully within the cabinet (all rollers residing in indentations), or be Withdrawn by its width (three sets of rollers in indentations) or be withdrawn its width, 4; its width, and so forth.

Cabinet 6 is open on both its sides and carries a cantilevered runway, carriage, etc. along both sides. By this design, prospective purchasers can utilize both sides of the cabinet simultaneously, but independently.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for selective display of items of building material and comprising (a) cabinet means,

(b) a multiplicity of first support means mounted with in said cabinet means,

(0) a multiplicity of wall covering samples removably stored in side by side relation by said support means,

(d) a cantilevered runway extending from at least one side of said cabinet means transverse the uppermost edge thereof,

(e) second support means associated with said runway and substantially longitudinally coextensive therewith,

(f) carriage means movably mounted on said support means, and,

(g) third individual support means substantially identical with said first individual support means, mounted on said carriage means and adapted for selective alignment with said first individual support means for withdrawal of a selected wall covering sample onto said carriage means for display thereof.

2. Apparatus for selective display of items of building materials and comprising (a) the combination of claim 1, and,

(b) means associated with said carriage and adapted to receive and secure at least one ceiling sample to the underside of said carriage adjacent to and in a perpendicular attitude with respect to said wall paneling sample.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for receiving and securing said ceiling sample comprises at least one magnet secured on said sample, and at least one metallic strip secured on the underside of said carriage means.

4. Apparatus for selective display of items of building material and comprising (a) the combination of claim 2, and,

(b) selected flooring samples disposed beneath said cantilevered runway hence beneath said displayed wall covering sample wherein movement of said carriage means along said runway carries said selected wall covering sample progressively into position over said floor samples thereby displaying said selected wall covering sample and said floor sample in an attitude representative of their actual use.

5. A display unit for items of building material comprising,

(a) vertically disposed compartmented cabinet means having two opposite open planar sides, said compartments adapted to receive wall covering samples therein,

(b) a cantilevered runway transversing the uppermost edge of each of said open sides,

(c) carriage means movably mounted on the underside of each of said runways,

(d) a multiplicity of first track sets disposed within said compartments of said cabinet means,

(e) a multiplicity of planar wall covering samples removably suspended in vertical, side-by-side relati0nship within said compartments,

(f) a second track set mounted on the underside of said carriage means and adapted for selective align- References Cited ment with a selected one of said first track sets for UNITED STATES PATENTS withdrawal of at least one covering sample onto said carriage means for display thereof, and 13021102 4/1921 Zlegler 31'2 234 (g) attachment means on the underside of said car- 5 2,161,130 6/1939 Burchenal 35 53 riage means adapted to receive a ceiling sample and 2,526,823 10/1950 Mansfield 4O 78 secure the same in a perpendicular attitude with re- 2,848,296 8/1958 Sandberg 312234 spect to and contiguous to said Wall covering sample. 3,408,128 10/1968 P 312234 6. A display unit comprising, the invention of claim 5 and, attachment means on the underside of said carriage 10 CASMIR NUNBERG Pnmary Exammer means adjacent to said wall covering sample and adapted U S Cl X R to receive a moulding sample in juxtaposition to the juncture of said ceiling sample and said wall covering sample. 35-5 3 

